One killed in morning crash on I-75 near Clarkston

A crash involving two vehicles on I-75 near Sashabaw Road left one driver dead Monday.

Michigan State Police responded to numerous spin-outs across metro Detroit Monday that led to a number of brief road closures. A spokesman said the fatal crash along I-75 was likely caused by speeding under poor road conditions.

The freeway at Clarkston Road was closed for a few hours after a driver lost control of his car on a stretch near Independence Township.

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Preliminary investigation found the driver, a man from Clinton Township, lost control of his Ford Focus around 5:50 a.m., slid into the left lane, and was struck by a Ford van, said State Police Lt. Michael Shaw.

The victim, who’s name hasn’t yet been released, was pronounced dead on the scene.

Independence Township’s fire department first responded to the scene with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office assisting.

Police reopened the freeway around 10:30 a.m. Monday.

Shaw said the victim’s next of kin has yet to be identified.

The investigation has been turned over to Michigan State Police and is ongoing.

Police said two crashes involving fire department vehicles occurred at the same location, but no injuries were sustained in those incidents.

Michigan State Police said extended details of the fatal crash won’t be immediately available due to a short staff for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

The Oakland County Examiner’s Office completed an autopsy Monday of the victim. Investigators said the victim’s cause of death was accidental multiple blunt force trauma.

Oakland Press readers reported numerous auto incidents across the county Monday, likely due to icy roads.

Justin Gonzalez wrote on Facebook that an accident involving four cars near M-59 and Cass Lake Road caused a hiccup.

Andrea Lewis said conditions near an accident on M-59 eastbound near I-75 left several motorists in a ditch.

Bill Murray said a typically short 4 mile jaunt on westbound M-59 between Rochester and Dequindre roads took more than an hour.

About the Author

Ryan Felton is a staff writer at The Oakland Press who covers Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township, transportation and technology. Blogging about Detroit at detroit.jalopnik.com. Reach the author at ryan.felton@oakpress.com
or follow Ryan on Twitter: @ryanfelton13.